Nyheim Hines is making a comeback in the NFL after being sidelined for two seasons due to an injury from a jet ski accident. The 28-year-old running back has signed a deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, marking a new chapter in his career. According to reports, Hines tore his ACL in July 2023 just before he was set to make an impact with the Buffalo Bills, where he was a key player for kick and punt returns.
After his injury, Hines signed with the Cleveland Browns during the 2024 offseason but didn’t get a chance to play due to that ACL injury. Now, he faces competition for a spot on the Chargers’ roster, contending with other players like Hassan Haskins, Kimani Vidal, and Jarrett Patterson for backup roles. It’s going to be tough as the two top spots are more or less secured, especially since the Chargers selected O’Mallion Hampton as their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Interestingly, the situation with the current starting running back, Najee Harris, adds another layer. Harris has been incredibly consistent, rushing for over 1,000 yards for four straight seasons. However, he is expected to start training camp on the non-football injury list due to an incident related to fireworks on July 4th.
Looking at Hines’ career stats, he has shown himself to be quite the dual threat on the field. In 81 games, he’s averaged 3.9 yards per carry, totaling 1,202 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. Additionally, he has a notable receiving record with 240 catches for 1,778 yards, averaging 7.4 yards per reception and securing eight touchdowns in that department. Special teams have also seen their fair share of his talent, with two punt returns and two kick returns for touchdowns in his career.
